Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
HIGHER and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava has challenged universities to harness sport to promote innovation, industrialisation and collaboration in pursuit of the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 13th edition of the Chancellors Staff Games at Great Zimbabwe University’s Mashava Campus, Minister Shava said sporting activities played a critical role in developing the human capital needed to drive national transformation.
He said the Games, held under the theme, “Driving Innovation, Industrialisation and Collaboration Through Sport Towards NDS2 and Vision 2030”, had demonstrated the importance of discipline, teamwork, strategic thinking and resilience in achieving national development goals.
“Sport, as we have witnessed, is a powerful vehicle for achieving this vision,” Minister Shava said. “It fosters the very qualities we need to drive innovation and industrialisation: discipline, teamwork, strategic thinking and resilience.”
Minister Shava said universities should take the spirit of collaboration displayed during the Games into their academic, research and institutional activities.
“Collaboration fosters innovation, and innovation drives industrialisation. We must carry this spirit of teamwork back to our campuses and into our daily work if we are to realise the goals of NDS2,” he said.
Minister Shava said the Games had also promoted inclusivity through unified sporting activities, which brought together participants regardless of their limitations.
“These Games were a celebration of inclusivity. We witnessed unified sports characterised by participants demonstrating extraordinary courage, determination and skill,” he said.
Minister Shava said the drive towards Vision 2030 should ensure that no one is left behind.
The Minister also welcomed the introduction of indigenous games such as Tsoro and Nhodo, saying they were important in preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage and promoting heritage-based knowledge.
“By introducing indigenous games such as Tsoro and Nhodo, among many others, we have planted a seed that will grow into a mighty tree of heritage-based knowledge,” he said.
Minister Shava said the incorporation of indigenous games was also helping to strengthen Zimbabwe’s cultural identity within institutions of higher learning.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the growth and sustainability of the Chancellors Staff Games and said the annual event promoted staff wellness, institutional cohesion and national unity.
The Minister also thanked industry partners and vice-chancellors for supporting the Games, saying investment in staff health and well-being was critical to improving the quality of graduates and securing the country’s future.
Staff from 14 higher learning institutions, including mainly State universities and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, participated in 12 sporting disciplines.
The closing ceremony was also attended by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira and Great Zimbabwe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Rungano Jonas Zvobgo.
